Boy, was that ever a ridiculous way to lose a ballgame tonight! In light of this latest fiasco, I thought that it would be good to point out the positives that may come out of 2013, even if this team doesn't ever get it going this year.

1. Conor Gillaspie.

The Sox acquired him for very little and Gillaspie shows a ton of promise. He is good left-handed hitter, fields well and is only 25. Gillaspie could be a White Sox mainstay at third base for years to come.

2. The Bullpen.

The Sox young bullpen is a little taxes right now, as the Sox are not scoring any runs and are losing all these close games. But Reed, Jones, Veal, Crain, Lindstrom and Santiago form the core of an excellent pen now and in the foreseeable future.

3. Keystone Combination.

Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham were hitting at the start of the year and are an excellent pair of fielders at SS and 2B. They give the Sox something to build around.

4. Starting Pitching.

The starting pitching has been pretty good this year. Once John Danks builds up his arm strength and can return to pitching, the Sox will have a legitimate "Big Three" in Danks, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. That is also something to build around. And the Sox have other starters to build around: Jose Quinatana, possibly Hector Santiago and a sleeper might be Erik Johnson at AA. The Sox starting should be a strength in the next few years.

5. Some Help Is Down The Road (Hopefully).

The Sox 2012 draft had some promise. Courtney Hawkins was a real strong draft choice and some other picks from that draft may make some noise. Let's hope that the 2013 draft brings some decent prospects.

As for the rest of 2013 offense, this is where is starts to get tricky.

I don't think Tyler Flowers is anything more than a back-up catcher. But the Sox felt they needed to play him to find out what he can do. I don't see him ever hitting much, so they will need to address this in the offseason. Fortunately, there are some free agent options oout there: Brian McCann and Jarrold Saltalamachia, most prominently.

The Sox have two outfielders with offensive skills: Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios. I would be OK with the Sox keeping both, including Rios despite his salary, and building around them. And Viciedo will be eventually become a DH.

You have to wonder if Alejandro de Aza is really anything more than a fourth outfielder on a good club. Maybe not. Unless Keenyn Walker lights it up in the minors this year (and he has not done so, yet), the Sox may need to look for a center fielder soon.

The Sox are pretty much stuck with Adam Dunn right now. But look on the bright side. He is a strong hot streak away from at least being tempting to some other club via trade. Hope he does get hot and bring the Sox some much needed prospects.

I really can't see the Sox bringing back Paul Konerko right now. As mid-season nears, the Sox should move him to a contender (preferably in the National League) and get back a legitimate offensive prospect or two. I would hate to see him go but unless the Sox get things untracked by June or so, I think that is where this is heading. And if the Sox are mirred in the second division, it would be fitting to give a great ballplayer and the face of this franchise the past 15 years a chance to go to a World Series. One possibility off the top of my head: the Washington Nationals. And they have some legitimate prospects.

I almost forgot Jeff Keppinger. He is better than he has played but wouldn't really have a spot on the Sox if they rebuild. He is starting to hit the ball harder. I am confident that he will get it going and he would help a contender, too. Once again, maybe the Sox can get some value in a trade.

pudge

04-23-2013, 02:14 AM

Nice analysis but... sigh... don't we pretty much have the same conversation every year?

kufram

04-23-2013, 08:00 AM

This is no place to look for positives, but I admire the concept. Good for you. The season is less than 20 games old.

I'd spend more time here if it wasn't so vilifying.

Boy, was that ever a ridiculous way to lose a ballgame tonight! In light of this latest fiasco, I thought that it would be good to point out the positives that may come out of 2013, even if this team doesn't ever get it going this year.

1. Conor Gillaspie.

The Sox acquired him for very little and Gillaspie shows a ton of promise. He is good left-handed hitter, fields well and is only 25. Gillaspie could be a White Sox mainstay at third base for years to come.

2. The Bullpen.

The Sox young bullpen is a little taxes right now, as the Sox are not scoring any runs and are losing all these close games. But Reed, Jones, Veal, Crain, Lindstrom and Santiago form the core of an excellent pen now and in the foreseeable future.

3. Keystone Combination.

Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham were hitting at the start of the year and are an excellent pair of fielders at SS and 2B. They give the Sox something to build around.

4. Starting Pitching.

The starting pitching has been pretty good this year. Once John Danks builds up his arm strength and can return to pitching, the Sox will have a legitimate "Big Three" in Danks, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. That is also something to build around. And the Sox have other starters to build around: Jose Quinatana, possibly Hector Santiago and a sleeper might be Erik Johnson at AA. The Sox starting should be a strength in the next few years.

5. Some Help Is Down The Road (Hopefully).

The Sox 2012 draft had some promise. Courtney Hawkins was a real strong draft choice and some other picks from that draft may make some noise. Let's hope that the 2013 draft brings some decent prospects.

As for the rest of 2013 offense, this is where is starts to get tricky.

I don't think Tyler Flowers is anything more than a back-up catcher. But the Sox felt they needed to play him to find out what he can do. I don't see him ever hitting much, so they will need to address this in the offseason. Fortunately, there are some free agent options oout there: Brian McCann and Jarrold Saltalamachia, most prominently.

The Sox have two outfielders with offensive skills: Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios. I would be OK with the Sox keeping both, including Rios despite his salary, and building around them. And Viciedo will be eventually become a DH.

You have to wonder if Alejandro de Aza is really anything more than a fourth outfielder on a good club. Maybe not. Unless Keenyn Walker lights it up in the minors this year (and he has not done so, yet), the Sox may need to look for a center fielder soon.

The Sox are pretty much stuck with Adam Dunn right now. But look on the bright side. He is a strong hot streak away from at least being tempting to some other club via trade. Hope he does get hot and bring the Sox some much needed prospects.

I really can't see the Sox bringing back Paul Konerko right now. As mid-season nears, the Sox should move him to a contender (preferably in the National League) and get back a legitimate offensive prospect or two. I would hate to see him go but unless the Sox get things untracked by June or so, I think that is where this is heading. And if the Sox are mirred in the second division, it would be fitting to give a great ballplayer and the face of this franchise the past 15 years a chance to go to a World Series. One possibility off the top of my head: the Washington Nationals. And they have some legitimate prospects.

I almost forgot Jeff Keppinger. He is better than he has played but wouldn't really have a spot on the Sox if they rebuild. He is starting to hit the ball harder. I am confident that he will get it going and he would help a contender, too. Once again, maybe the Sox can get some value in a trade.

asindc

04-23-2013, 08:23 AM

This is no place to look for positives, but I admire the concept. Good for you. The season is less than 20 games old.

I'd spend more time here if it wasn't so vilifying.

Well said.

Frater Perdurabo

04-23-2013, 08:37 AM

Good thread. Agreed on all counts. Keep hope alive.

SCCWS

04-23-2013, 10:20 AM

Very good analysis except I think you ignore one major problem-----offense. An infield of Beckham, Alexei and Gillaspi is good defensively but weak offensively. Take away Paulie for probably a couple of AA prospects and you have a huge hole at first.
This team needs several more guys who can hit like Rios has the past 2 seasons. Management is going to have to open up their wallet to free agency. Maybe Viciedo moves to DH if Dunn can be dumped but that would leave 1st, LF and catcher where you need to add starters w better than average offensive skills. The other options are bring players up from the minors( good luck with that) or trade away some pitching ( which I agree looks solid) to get some instant offense.
I am ignoring the option of trading Paulie, dumping Dunn and being a bad team for a few years with the hope of building a better farm system.

Zakath

04-23-2013, 11:24 AM

You had me until you mentioned trading Konerko. Get rid of Paulie and attendance might top 8k on most nights, and that's only if the opposing team's fans show up.

Lip Man 1

04-23-2013, 12:20 PM

Another good thing is that if some of the guys you mention continue to play or pitch well, the Sox if they are out of it might actually be able to get something of future substance for some of them.

Notice I said might....it depends of how good Hahn is at making deals and we don't know much about that aspect yet since he was basically comatose this off season.

The White Sox continue to offer these delicious, deep fried, cinnamon pastries 81 times a year in plain, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and mini varieties.

Boy, was that ever a ridiculous way to lose a ballgame tonight! In light of this latest fiasco, I thought that it would be good to point out the positives that may come out of 2013, even if this team doesn't ever get it going this year.

1. Conor Gillaspie.

The Sox acquired him for very little and Gillaspie shows a ton of promise. He is good left-handed hitter, fields well and is only 25. Gillaspie could be a White Sox mainstay at third base for years to come.

2. The Bullpen.

The Sox young bullpen is a little taxes right now, as the Sox are not scoring any runs and are losing all these close games. But Reed, Jones, Veal, Crain, Lindstrom and Santiago form the core of an excellent pen now and in the foreseeable future.

3. Keystone Combination.

Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham were hitting at the start of the year and are an excellent pair of fielders at SS and 2B. They give the Sox something to build around.

4. Starting Pitching.

The starting pitching has been pretty good this year. Once John Danks builds up his arm strength and can return to pitching, the Sox will have a legitimate "Big Three" in Danks, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. That is also something to build around. And the Sox have other starters to build around: Jose Quinatana, possibly Hector Santiago and a sleeper might be Erik Johnson at AA. The Sox starting should be a strength in the next few years.

5. Some Help Is Down The Road (Hopefully).

The Sox 2012 draft had some promise. Courtney Hawkins was a real strong draft choice and some other picks from that draft may make some noise. Let's hope that the 2013 draft brings some decent prospects.

As for the rest of 2013 offense, this is where is starts to get tricky.

I don't think Tyler Flowers is anything more than a back-up catcher. But the Sox felt they needed to play him to find out what he can do. I don't see him ever hitting much, so they will need to address this in the offseason. Fortunately, there are some free agent options oout there: Brian McCann and Jarrold Saltalamachia, most prominently.

The Sox have two outfielders with offensive skills: Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios. I would be OK with the Sox keeping both, including Rios despite his salary, and building around them. And Viciedo will be eventually become a DH.

You have to wonder if Alejandro de Aza is really anything more than a fourth outfielder on a good club. Maybe not. Unless Keenyn Walker lights it up in the minors this year (and he has not done so, yet), the Sox may need to look for a center fielder soon.

The Sox are pretty much stuck with Adam Dunn right now. But look on the bright side. He is a strong hot streak away from at least being tempting to some other club via trade. Hope he does get hot and bring the Sox some much needed prospects.

I really can't see the Sox bringing back Paul Konerko right now. As mid-season nears, the Sox should move him to a contender (preferably in the National League) and get back a legitimate offensive prospect or two. I would hate to see him go but unless the Sox get things untracked by June or so, I think that is where this is heading. And if the Sox are mirred in the second division, it would be fitting to give a great ballplayer and the face of this franchise the past 15 years a chance to go to a World Series. One possibility off the top of my head: the Washington Nationals. And they have some legitimate prospects.

I almost forgot Jeff Keppinger. He is better than he has played but wouldn't really have a spot on the Sox if they rebuild. He is starting to hit the ball harder. I am confident that he will get it going and he would help a contender, too. Once again, maybe the Sox can get some value in a trade.

Golden Sox

04-24-2013, 09:09 AM

I share your optimism about the team. I think it's fair to say that if DeAza, Keppinger and Dunn were producing, the White Sox would be in first place now. Add to the fact that the Tank and Beckham are not playing because of injuries and it's somewhat understandable why we're in last place instead of first place. Hopefully the team can turn it around sooner rather than later.

SephClone89

04-24-2013, 09:35 AM

I'm a big fan of Alexei Ramirez, but "something to build around?" The guy is 31.

And I was as big a Beckham fan as any, but I'm hardly drinking the Kool-Aid at this point.

JB98

04-25-2013, 03:10 AM

Only three games out of first despite a generally horrible first 20 games. The Sox are struggling, but hardly buried. Lot of season left.

Golden Sox

04-25-2013, 09:44 AM

Bill Veeck once said in one of his books: The future is now, 5 year plans usually lead to new 5 year plans in baseball. If you believe in that opinion, I don't see why this White Sox team can't get into the playoffs in 2013. It appears that the White Sox have the pitching to contend for the playoffs. The team needs a couple more hitters. Hopefully the Tank and Beckham will come back and be productive offensively. We still need another bat if they come back. Trade Floyd for a hitter and put Santiago in the rotation. The Sun Times had an article today that implied that Ventura is losing patience with some of the hitters. Maybe we might finally be seeing the end of Adam Done on the great Southside of Chicago.

SephClone89

04-25-2013, 10:09 AM

Bill Veeck once said in one of his books: The future is now, 5 year plans usually lead to new 5 year plans in baseball. If you believe in that opinion, I don't see why this White Sox team can't get into the playoffs in 2013. It appears that the White Sox have the pitching to contend for the playoffs. The team needs a couple more hitters. Hopefully the Tank and Beckham will come back and be productive offensively. We still need another bat if they come back. Trade Floyd for a hitter and put Santiago in the rotation. The Sun Times had an article today that implied that Ventura is losing patience with some of the hitters. Maybe we might finally be seeing the end of Adam Done on the great Southside of Chicago.

This is pretty dated, and has kind of been proven wrong in this day and age. Aside from that, I don't recall Veeck having wonderful sustained success on the field with this philosophy.

Stanley

04-25-2013, 11:03 PM

Coming down from the ledge for a bit to say that Addison Reed is looking nasty this year. Looks like he's come a long way since last year and has a great feel for his pitches.